Windows 7 Questions

I have three systems in my household. 1 desktop running XP, 1 laptop running XP and 1 laptop running Vista. I have XP on disk but not the Vista (came with daughters laptop). If I want to install Windows 7 how do I go about doing it? I understand you can't upgrade from XP to 7 but you can from Vista. What's the best option to upgrade all three to Windows 7?

 

back up all of your stuff. buy three separate full copies of whichever version of windows 7 you want. install on the machines, do a clean install and wipe everything off of you disk in the process. moved backed up data to the new windows 7 machines.

start with a clean slate. "upgrades" from os to os suck monkey balls

 

That's what I've heard (always load a full version verses the upgrade.) When you say backed up data I am assuming you mean the "My Documents" stuff pics and Office data. Can I backup program files as well so I don't have to reload a bunch of programs as well? Just a few of my programs I use for torrents are setup perfectly and hate to have to do it all over again but if it's what is needed to do I'll do it

 

yes, back up your documents. usually you can go to your local profile and grab "my documents" and your favorites as well.

no, do not copy the entire program folders. you will need to reinstall them. just coping them will not magically add them back to where you can use them. reinstalling is the only option.

 

Alright riddle me this. Can I buy the Home Professional Win 7 (for 300?) and buy additional License keys for the other computers or would I have to buy each rig it's own Windows 7

 

you'd have to buy a new copy for each machine.

unless you can find a deal out there, it'll be expensive.

my advice to you would be to buy one copy and put it on the machine that you would more likely use. wait a year and see if you can find a deal out there.

 

That's what I'll probably do for the desktop. My daughter (who has the Vista laptop) can get the upgrade of Win 7 through the College of Charleston where she goes for much less that at a store. Still not worth the hassle going through with an upgrade?

 

well, i don't think it'll hurt. it's all about what you want to do vs. how much you want to spend

i wouldn't upgrade her laptop just yet. who knows what laptop she might have in 2 years.

 

you can buy a family pack for Windows 7 upgrades.

 

Yup, and as far as the install goes, I've done 3 full installs and 1 upgrade. The upgrade option is fine, but what I'd do is reload the laptop with Vista fresh and then do an upgrade install. Win7 is probably the best upgrade install I've done. No problems at all.